Author: A L Basham
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 336
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120812042
Description
The book presents the history and the Doctrines of the Ajivikas who formed a third heretical sect besides the sect of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and that of Mahavira Vardhamana, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the Jainas. The three heterodox sects react against the ritualistic creed of the Vedists. The cult of Ajivikas was founded by Makkhali Gosal, the contemporary of Mahavira Vardhamana, on the basis of strict determinism with a belief in the all-embracing rule of Niyati (principle of order). According to Gosal, it was Niyati which ultimately governed our action, controlled phenomena and left no room for human volition.
It will through new height on an interesting and significant aspect of India's past, and will encourage further research. This book is divided into fifteen chapters discussing elaborately different aspects of the subject matter. The comprehensive Bibliography and Index are the added features for the researchers for comparative as well as further study of yet unexplored areas.
Contents
FOREWORD/PROF. SATYA RANJAN BANERJEE
FOREWORD/DR. L.D. BARNETT
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
Part I : HISTORY OF THE AJIVIKAS :
1. Introduction :
i. The Historical Background to the Rise of Ajivikism
2. The Six Heretics :
i. The Record of the Samanna-phala Sutta
ii. Other Buddhist References to the Doctrines of the Heretics
3. Makkhali Gosala and his Predecessors :
i. Ajivika Leaders before Makkhali Gosala
ii. Nanda Vaccha and Kisa Sankicca
iii. The Immediate Predecessors of Makkhali Gosala
iv. Makkhali Gosala
v. Birth of Makkhali Gosala
vi. The Meeting of Gosala with Mahavira
vii. The Peregrinations of the Two Ascetics
viii. Gosala and the Sesamum Plant
ix. Gosala and Vesiyayana
x. Gosala Attains Magical Power and becomes the Leader of the Ajivikas
4. The Last Days of Makkhali Gosala :
i. The Six Disacaras
ii. Gosala is Exposed by Mahavlra
iii. Gosala Visits Mahavlra
iv. Gosala's Delirium
v. Ayampula Visits Gosala
vi. Gosala's Repentance and Death
vii. The Date of Gosala's Death
viii. The Name and Titles of Makkhali Gosala
5. Purana and Pakudha :
i. Purana Kassapa
ii. The Death of Purana
iii. Pakudha Kaccayana
6. The Early Ajivika Community (I) :
i. The Wandering Philosophers
ii. Etymology of the Term Ajivika
iii. The Ajivika Initiation
iv. Ajivika Nudity
v. Ajivika Asceticism
vi. The Ajivika Sabha
vii. Song and Dance
7. The Early Ajivika Community (II) :
i. Begging and Dietary Practices
ii. Accusations of Worldliness and Immorality
iii. The Final Penance
iv. Ajivika Laymen
v. Relations between Ajivikas and Buddhists
vi. Relations between Ajivikas and Jainas
8. Ajivikas in the Nanda and Maukya Periods :
i. Mahapadma
ii. Ajivikism in Maurya Times
iii. The Barabar and Nagarjuni Caves
9. Ajivikas in Later Times :
i. References in Sanskrit Literature
ii. Varahamihira and Utpala
iii. Silanka and the Trairasikas
iv. Nemicandra on the Ajivikas
v. Lexicographical References
vi. The Last References to Ajivikas
10. The Southern Ajivikas :
i. The Inscriptions
ii. Ajivikas in Tamil Literature
iii. Appendix to Part I - The Iconoclast Ascetics of Kashmir
Part II : DOCTRINES OF THE AJIVIKAS :
11. Ajivika Scriptures :
i. The Mahanimittas, the Maggas, and the Onpatu-katir
ii. Pali and Prakrit Quotations
iii. Quotations by the Commentators
12. NIYATI :
i. Niyativada Dialectic
ii. The Development of the Niyati Doctrine
13. Ajivika Cosmology :
i. The Categories of the Samanna-phala Sutta
ii. The Eight Last Things
iii. The Six Inevitables
iv. Other Ajivika Categories
v. Mandala-moksa
14. Other Doctrines of the Ajivikas :
i. The Elements
ii. Ajivika Atomism in Relation to other Indian Atomic Doctrines
iii. The Soul
iv. The Gods
v. Ajivika Logic
vi. The Status of Makkhali Gosala
15. Conclusion :
i. Summary
ii. Dr. Barua's Three Questions
iii. The Influence of the Ajivikas
iv. The Place of the Ajivikas in Indian History